Court hears challenge to ban on gay therapy

Why do you believe that
orientation is that easily altered? If it were that easy, don't you think
there'd be a whole lot MORE gay people out there?

"Why
introduce it if indoctrination is not your goal?"

Maybe because
it's important to side-step prejudice at an early age? Giving children
racially diverse learning materials doesn't make them "turn" black,
right? Would educating children about Judaism somehow make them turn Jew?

"the indicidence of homosexuality in the general population is
around 2%, but increases to 5% for those who are raised by homosexuals."

In reality, roughly 3-5% of the general population is homosexual. Being
raised by homosexuals does NOT increase homosexuality in children.

There are many sources to support this conclusion -- including the National
Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study, which has followed families for about 30
years now. In this study, 0% of the girls raised by lesbians identified as
lesbian, and the lesbian-raised boys "were no more likely to have engaged in
same-sex behavior" than boys raised by straight families.

There
are other studies saying the same thing -- but I only get 200 words per post!

lost in DCWest Jordan, UT

April 19, 2013 7:56 a.m.

amazondoc,Yes I do.

Why do preschoolers need to be introduced
to ANY type of sexuality if not to start poiting them in a certain direction.
Sexuality is the FURTHEST thing from a preschooler's or
kindergartner's mind. It's "icky and gross" to them. Why
introduce it if indoctrination is not your goal?

I have heard, though
I cannot remember the source, that the indicidence of homosexuality in the
general population is around 2%, but increases to 5% for those who are raised by
homosexuals. So, yeah, I do believe a greater exposure to it at a younger age
will add to more kids being "turned gay" as you term it.

amazondocUSA, TN

April 18, 2013 10:23 p.m.

@lost in DC --

"Only it is not called "conversion
therapy" but it is the indoctrination CA and Il are trying to force onto
preschoolers."

Do you seriously believe that children in
preschool are somehow going to be "turned gay" by a few lessons in a
classroom? Really??

If so, could you please explain your claim with a
few more details?

lost in DCWest Jordan, UT

April 18, 2013 4:01 p.m.

JoeBlow,to answer your question - yes. Only it is not called
"conversion therapy" but it is the indoctrination CA and Il are trying
to force onto preschoolers.

JoeBlowFar East USA, SC

April 18, 2013 12:33 p.m.

Let me ask this question.

Do you think that there is any
"conversion therapy" that could make you gay?

lost in DCWest Jordan, UT

April 18, 2013 10:46 a.m.

those helped were not invited - plain and simple. I suspect if any had come
forward, they would have been barred.

Chris BSalt Lake City, UT

April 18, 2013 10:42 a.m.

I applaud those who are addressing a problem they have and trying to change.

JoeBlowFar East USA, SC

April 18, 2013 9:23 a.m.

"Wasn't there anyone who could have testified about begin helped by the
counseling? "

Because they couldn't find any

amazondocUSA, TN

April 18, 2013 8:18 a.m.

@SME --

"Wasn't there anyone who could have testified about
begin helped by the counseling? Or were they not invited."

In
medical testing, researchers have to prove that any given treatment is both
effective AND safe. If it fails on either one of those -- either effectiveness
OR safety -- then it is rejected.

One huge problem with this therapy
is that it's often performed on minors -- people who aren't old enough
to give informed consent. That means we have an even larger responsibility
towards ensuring their safety.

It's important to note that NO
major mental health organizations approve of conversion therapy. All of them
caution people about the risk of harm -- specifically things like depression,
negative self-image, increased social isolation, suicide -- and that these types
of treatments encourage prejudice and discrimination against homosexuals.

One study in the journal "Professional Psychology" reports that
rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal feelings are
roughly **doubled** in people who undergo therapy. That's serious harm!

Some former ex-gay-movement leaders, such as the Exodus International
founders, have even **apologized** for their former involvement with conversion
therapy and the harm it caused to their patients.

SMEBountiful, UT

April 18, 2013 6:53 a.m.

...testimony before the state Legislature by several people who said they were
harmed by the counseling.

Wasn't there anyone who could have
testified about begin helped by the counseling? Or were they not invited.

Perhaps those so eager to regulate could consider actually inspecting
abortion mills. See the Kermit Gosnell case.